DETROIT LIONS: Sam Martin, Joe Fauria having a blast

Detroit Lions tight end Joseph Fauria (80) celebrates after a 1-yard touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

“I do Tuesdays and he does Thursdays, but we’re going to the Tigers game,’’ Martin said, adding they ate out on Tuesday. “I can print you guys out a schedule if you want.’’

They’ve become good friends since meeting at the offseason workouts even though Martin played at Appalachian State and Fauria at UCLA.

“First time I saw him in OTAs I remember talking with Blake (Clingan) the old punter, saying he’s probably going to be really good,’’ Martin said. “I just knew eventually — just knowing him, we’ve been good friends since Day One — watching him play.’’

Martin, a fifth-round draft pick, was a standout after Week Three when he was named NFC Special Teams player of the week.

He currently ranks third in the NFL (first in the NFC) in punting average (48.9) and is fourth (third in the NFC) in net punting (43.1). He is tied for second in the NFL (most in NFC) with 16 punts of 50-plus yards.

He also kicks off so veteran David Akers can focus on field goals.

“We knew he could kick-off, we researched him pretty well. I know there were a lot of people that questioned that (draft) pick, but I would like to see where all those people are right now, honestly,’’ Schwartz said.

So early on, Fauria had to deal with the overflow of reporters flocking around Martin’s stall.

Now it’s the opposite — the media flow has headed to Fauria’s locker and Martin gets the spill-over.

Fauria, who you might have heard was undrafted, has caught seven passes this season and five of them were touchdowns. He leads all NFL rookies with five touchdowns and is sixth in the NFL with that total. He has one more than Calvin Johnson.

“Man, Joe is doing his thing out there. He’s such a big target,’’ Johnson said. “You can put the ball anywhere around him. His arms can probably scratch his knees standing up. He’s a great player. He has good hands. He’s young. He’s ready to make some plays. That’s the thing I love about him.”

After each touchdown Fauria does a celebration dance in the end zone which just adds to his brand.

“I think I’m more impressed — not him just scoring touchdowns — his improvement since he got here, not that he wasn’t good. I’ve seen him get better physically with my own eyes from the day he got here as a Lion until the last game,’’ wide receiver Nate Burleson said. “He’s a better route runner, he catches the ball even stronger, he uses his hands well fighting against linebackers when they’re trying to cover him. He’s gotten better and better and his career has just started.’’

Burleson encourages the dancing because it makes the 6-foot-7 tight end stand out even more.

“I got to give an ‘A’ there’s no reason a guy that big, that tall, should make those (dance) moves,’’ Burleson said. “I’m just curious when he goes on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ if they’re going to adjust and get a tall dancer for him, most dancers are short. That is his next step I’m calling it right now, I want to be the first to say it — he’ll be on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ for sure.’’

After running through his dance repertoire Sunday, Fauria sent out a request via Twitter seeking suggestions for more dances.

And?

Several have suggested twerking.

“I’m down for a twerk here or there, but there’s probably going to be a fine so I’m going to stay away from it,’’ Fauria said.